Electric-fixture fitting and method of making same



0. GOLDICH. ELECTRIC FIXTURE FITTING AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-27. I920.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

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151; This invention relates to a fitting for electric fixtures andlthe method of making the same, and has reference partieularly v to a new. and improved form of hi ckey and to 'itsmethodof manufacture. 2 3

ZAn object of the inventionis the. provision which the fitting is simply of sheet metal in aminimum number ofop erat ons, whereby a great savlng of t meand labor is achieved, with a resultant product which is much superiorin finish to devices ofthis typealready known. A p Another object .re'sides invthe provision -of ga new and improved form of hickey which, in its completed state, presents a finished appearance, whereby smooth edges and surfaces are presented in the use of thedevice to insulatedelectric circuit wires so that the insulation is notl worn' outiby'contact wi m lch s rf ce ne fit in A furtherobject fis' 1150 pro ide a fitting which can be constructed in large quantities,

by stamping sheetmetal, at ,a'minin'ru'm cost.

A still "furtherobjectfresides in the provision 01 51;; fitting which has greatly increased strength, owing to the elimination of flaws which are resident in cast fittings. Another object resides in the provision of the particular sequence of operation forming the above-mentioned method and the con struction of the fitting, which will be hereinafter set forth in the description and claims and shown in the accompanying drawings. 7

Heretofore in manufacturing electric fittings such as hickeys, which are used in connection with conduits containing electrical circuit wires whereby the various wires may be readily and simply led out to their respective connections, these fittings have been cast. This casting has resulted, generally, in the presentation of rough, irregular surfaces which when coming in contact with the insulation on the wire has caused the tearing of the same, resulting in short circuit. Furthermore, by reason of being cast, previously specificationof 'li etters Patent.

be broken during use.-

7 tion taken through conduit showing hickey in place;

, P t-e teufi eb. 21, was. a... 406,469. l made hickeys have contained within their structure fiawswhich madethemliable to The casting process 1s, moreover, slowcompared to the process conceived in accordance with my invention,

which contemplates stamping the hickey, by

a series of consecutive steps, from sheet metal n onepiece, whereby added strength is given to the fitting in that it hasno inherent flaws "and inwhich smooth surfaces and edges are present inthe final product, 7

simultaneously draw'flanges on certain of the apertures at the same time that a blank including thefapertures is cut out of the sheetinetal. This blank is then passedto a bndingm'aehine in which the blank is bent soas to align the flanged apertures with a The invention is illustrate'd in the drawnes w ,Flg'ure 1 represents central vertical sec- .jan electrical fixture or my improved fitting or Figure 2 representsastripof sheet metal from. which the fittinglis stamped by a succession'of operations;

Figure 3 is an end view of the fitting; and

Figure 4 is a side view of the fitting.

As shown in the drawings, 1 represents an electrical fixture or box of any suitable nature into which electrical conduits 2 are adapted to extend. These conduits are adapted to carry. insulated wires, such as 3, which pass therethrough in any relative direction. The fitting or hickey which is the embodiment of my invention is shown. and represented by the numeral 4. This fitting or hickey comprises a pair of plates 5 and 6, each of which is rovided with an integral, turned-up, flange collar portion 7.

pair of connecting arms 8 and 9 extend be tween the plates 5 and 6 and are integral with the metal thereof. These arms extend in a line at right angles to the planes of plates 5 and 6 which are disposed parallel to each other with the apertures 91' Qllars 7 in line with a plurality sothat no finishing. is required of the manu- .facturer after the stamping is completed.

common axis, andhave a plurality of'integral arms connecting thesefiangedportions.

a common axis. As shown in Figure 1,the

' arms 8 and 9 are adaptedto-support certain threaded portion on the conduit towhich" of the wires 3 when these wires are bent or turned to pass from one conduit 2 into an- 7 other. Each of the collars 7 is interiorlythreaded, as designated by the numeral .10,

and is'adapted to engage with a similarly it may be connected. Opposite edges of the plates 5 and 6, as shown in Figure 3, are formed in straight lines parallel to each other, such as 11 andlQ, sothat either end "of the fitting .or' lated by a wrench to be readily attached to hickey may be manipuor'removed from a conduit.

' ThlS fittlng 1s made from one single p1ece of sheet metal of any .desiredstrength or qualityr Its formation is roughly indicated in Figure 2.

In .this figure, 18 repre sents a strip ofsheet metal of the desired size, strength and quality. This strip is passed through a stamping press of any suitable type, and in its passage therethrough is successively subjected to a series. of operations hereinafter set forth. In the first lace, a tool in the head of the press is provided to stamp out in one movement the apertures the left-hand portion of thestrip. 13. strip is then moved to'the right, where an- 14 and 15, shown in. Figure 2 on The other and compound toolin'the same machine is provided, which is adapted simultaneously to enter the apertures 14 and enlarge them to the diameter designated at 16 in the right-hand side of Figure 2; and by so' enlarging these holes it turns up integral with the strip 13 the collars 7 above mentioned. At the same time that this drawing action is taking pla'cefanother part of the compound tool cuts out a blank- 17 which includes the apertureslfi and 16.

.This blank 17 is .then passed to another A "machine in whicli'the plates 5 and 6, with 'the collars 7 thereon, are; bent parallel to I "'eaclt'other and at right angles .to the con- 'nect ng'. arms 8"andg9. By this process it is seen that I am enabled to manufacture in a substantiallyshortentimea much larger number of fittings or hickeys'than can be pro duced by the old fashioned casting method. Moreover, this fitting, by being stamped from one piece Ofunetal, is inherently stronger and less likel to contain flaws than the cast product. j urther, it presents to the insulation of thewires with which it comes in contact a much. smoother, more regular surface, so'that the insulation is 2. An electrical fitting of stamped; sheet metal comprising a pair of parallel plates,

and a plurality of integral arms connected with said. plates, each of said plates being provided with an internally threaded hole.

3. An electrical fitting of stamped sheet metal comprising a pair of spaced parallel plates, an integral 1 interiorly threaded flanged collar on each of said plates, said collars'being aligned. parallel to each other "and with respect to a common axis, and integral, spaced connectlng arms between said,

plates.

J4. An, electrical hickey of'stamped sheet metal comprising a pair of i'plates'spaced being formed' from one piece otmetal.

a plurality of integral arms Iconand a collar formed apart and provided with suitable apertures, V

anintegralifla'ngedcollar on each plate surrounding theaperturesjand integral, spaced connecting "arms .between' said'plates, said plates, said collars and said connecting arms 

